Though sometimes pure drudgery, commuting into Manhattan affords us the opportunity to explore neighborhoods outside of the ones we live in. Tucked away in a Cooper Union administration building, my company's old office space on The Bowery felt right in the thick of the excitement of downtown. With NYU a few blocks to the west and St. Mark's Place a few blocks to the east, the area has a buzzy youthfulness and eternal grittiness that I love.

To Do/See

The Bowery is a far cry from the lawless bohemia it was throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s (RIP). However, structures like 190 Bowery, a curious building that many assumed was abandoned for years, preserves a bit of the area's gritty past. Former home of photographer Jay Meisel, the structure was once a canvas for iconic artists like Basquiat and Haring. An often overlooked landmark covered by decades worth of street art, make sure you check it out stat: 190 Bowery recently sold in September and is sure to face some drastic changes and development.